Schneifel Trail

The Schneifel Trail hiking route is one of the Volcanic Eifel trails. At nearly 73 kilometres, it is one of the longest of the Volcanic Eifel trails. Its challenging route, which begins at the Kronenburger Hütte hut and takes you to Birresborn via Gondenbrett and Schönecken, impresses with its range of different landscapes. During the first stage, there is an ascent of 500 metres in altitude. With steep climbs and descents, the route takes you into the valley, past fish ponds and through a wild forest area with dense birch trees and thick bracken. The “Schwarzer Mann” winter sports area offers ample space for stopping and taking a rest with its log house of the same name. Over the next few kilometres, the trail leads down into a narrow valley before ascending again until it reaches a magnificent panoramic viewpoint. However, the ascent continues, and the end point of this stage is not reached until you come to Gondenbrett. Here, you’ll find the first highlight of the second stage. From the “Eifel Blick” viewpoint, you can enjoy a magnificent view out over the summits of the Eifel. Soon, you reach the Calvary Hill in Prüm, which is half-surrounded by a Way of the Cross. The route continues into the Schönecker Schweiz nature conservation area towards Schönecken, the next interim destination. On the final stage from Schönecken to Birresborn, the Schneifel Trail winds up and downhill through meadows, pine forests, along streams, past the rock formation “Hohl-Ley”, which is marked as a natural monument, and on to Birresborn, where the ice caves are worth a visit.